UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Agriculture Optional Paper II: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

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09 Sep UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Agriculture Optional Paper II: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

Posted at 09 Sep 2026 in UPSC by
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The questions below are from Agriculture Optional Paper II of UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 (held 2026-08-30) — the actual paper, which is public government content. This page carries the questions for reference and revision; model answers for this paper are not published here.

Official paper (PDF): upsc.gov.in.

  1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) What is somatic hybridization ? Explain its steps in production of hybrid plants. 10 (b) What are the biochemical changes that take place in seeds under prolonged storage ? 10 (c) Describe the factors influencing nutrient absorption in plants from the soil. 10 (d) Describe the characteristics of a clone. 10 (e) Define mutagens. Explain the different mutagen groups. 10
  2. (a) Describe the causes and sources of disease resistance in plants. 20 (b) Explain the functions and structure of mitochondria with suitable diagram. 20 (c) Describe the importance of molecular markers in plant improvements. 10
  3. (a) Define heritability. What do you mean by broad sense and narrow sense heritability ? Explain its applications in crop improvement. 20 (b) Discuss the principles and practices of seed production in self-pollinated and cross-pollinated crops. 20 (c) Define cytoplasmic inheritance. Explain briefly about sex-influenced and sex-limited traits. 10
  4. (a) Describe the different seed enhancement techniques used in seed industry and their benefits. 10
  5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) What do you mean by nutrient deficiency in humans ? Write the major causes of nutrient deficiencies in India. 10
  6. (a) Describe the scientific cultivation of mango with reference to regular bearer varieties, propagation, transplanting time, management of mealy bug and powdery mildew. 20 (b) What are the major causes of poverty in India ? Describe the role of Agriculture in poverty alleviation and employment generation. 20 (c) Explain the different types of seed dormancy. What are the factors that are responsible for dormancy in seeds ? 10
  7. (a) Explain the factors encouraging infestation of pests during storage. Discuss control measures for pest infestation during storage. 20 (b) Discuss the production technology of carnation for cut flower in relation to improved varieties, growing requirements and season, flower regulation, post-harvest handling and physiological disorders. 20 (c) Discuss the steps taken by the Government of India for improving the food processing industry. 10

Questions reproduced from the official paper for study purposes; verify on the exam-conducting body’s official website.

Related — other papers of this exam

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